Charleston Battery plays host to Nashville SC Saturday night at MUSC Health Stadium in the first ever meeting between the two clubs. The match is the Battery’s last of a seven-game home stand.
The Battery defeated Elm City Express (NPSL), 1-0, Wednesday night at MUSC Health Stadium to advance to the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup. Gordon Wild scored his fourth goal in all competitions in the match while Odisnel Cooper earned the shutout in goal. Wild’s four goals has him one behind Ataulla Guerra for the team lead.
Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser played a rotated squad against Elm City in the midweek Cup match, but was forced to put Guerra on in the final fifteen minutes with the score deadlocked at zero. Guerra broke down the Elm City defense and created the opportunity that led to Wild’s goal. The Trinidadian forward will be the most likely to break down Nashville’s organized defense Saturday night.
Wednesday’s win extended the Battery’s unbeaten streak to nine games. During the unbeaten stretch, Charleston has earned six wins and six shutouts, giving up just three goals along the way. Following the win, the Battery drew Atlanta United (MLS) in the fourth round of the Open Cup. The former affiliates will meet at Fifth Third Bank Stadium on Wednesday, June 6.
Nashville also earned a meeting with an MLS side on Wednesday, defeating Mississippi Brilla, 3-1, at the Vanderbilt Soccer Complex in their third round Open Cup match. Robin Shroot, London Woodberry, and newly-signed Brandon Allen all scored in the victory. Nashville will host Colorado Rapids in the fourth round of the Cup.
Between Open Cup matches, Nashville has found their footing in the league. The USL newcomers haven’t lost since April 14. Nashville currently sits in tenth place in the Eastern Conference with 12 points from eight games; just six points off the third-place Battery who have played ten games.
In their last league match, Nashville earned an impressive 2-0 win over reigning USL Champions Louisville City FC at home. Lebo Moloto scored his first two goals of the season in the match, while Matt Pickens earned the shutout in goal. Pickens currently leads the league in shutouts with five. The former Tampa Bay Rowdies goalkeeper is the centerpiece of a defense that has conceded a league-low five goals.
Given both teams’ recent defensive form, it may take a moment of brilliance in the attacking end to decide the game. The Battery will turn to Guerra and Wild to create for the home side, while Nashville will hope that Moloto can continue his form in front of goal. Coach Anhaeuser will be pushing hard for the win, which would bring the Battery’s point total to 13 of a possible 15 points in the five-game home stretch in league play.
Following Saturday’s match, the Battery will head out on the road for the first time since April 24 to take on Indy Eleven. The Battery and Indy will meet for the first time ever on Wednesday, May 30 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
